Scheduling, Reservations, Fees and Refunds

To schedule your event, please contact the Trail End State Historic Site at 307-674-4589. To avoid confusion, we never book two events for the same day, so it is best to make your decision early. Saturdays are very popular and are often reserved over a year in advance.

When you call, we will pencil in the date and send you an Event Reservation Form and a copy of the Event Planning Guidelines. After reading the guidelines, fill out the form in its entirety and send it to us with the requested dates and reservation fee. After we receive the completed form and the reservation fee, we will consider the date confirmed. If we do not receive confirmation within two weeks, we will open the date up to other requests.

There is a $50 reservation fee for all events held on the grounds, regardless of size, set-up, grounds location or time of year. Reservation fee monies go to the Trail End Guilds, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Trail End State Historic Site. Until your reservation fee and completed form are received, your reservation is not confirmed.

The full reservation fee is refundable if your event is canceled ten days or more prior to the scheduled date. No refunds will be made for cancellations made within ten days of the event, including those made because of inclement weather.

In compliance with the Wyoming State Parks & Historic Sites Fee Program, everyone aged eighteen or older will be charged a daily use fee in order to enter the Kendrick Mansion. The fee is $1.00 for Wyoming residents, $2.00 for non-residents. Children under 18 will be admitted at no cost, but they must be accompanied by a paying adult. It is up to you to let event attendees know about these fees.

Hours and Event Locations

Hours

Trail End's grounds are available for use between sunrise and nightfall. All summertime grounds events must conclude by 10:00 p.m.

We strongly recommend that you make a visit to the site before your event in order to determine seating arrangements, examine walk-ways, etc. For most large events, we recommend the southeast corner of the grounds (looking towards the Sheridan County Courthouse) or the southwest corner (near the orchard). Both areas offer spectacular views of the Bighorn Mountains while providing shade during the afternoon.

Inclement Weather

Because there is always the chance of bad weather, you should make arrangements for either a tent or an alternate location for your event.

Set-Up, Restrooms, Catering and Parking

We ask that all tables and chairs be set up no more than two hours before the event and dismantled no more than two hours after the event. You will be responsible for arranging site clean up, including dinnerware, cups, flowers, programs, rice bags, etc. A vehicle may park in the east circular drive during set-up and clean-up, but must be moved as soon as possible after loading/unloading.

You must supply your own tables, chairs, arches, tents, podiums and other furnishings and equipment. Trail End does not have these items available for public use. Please check with site personnel in advance before deciding whether or not to set up a canopy, tent or archway. Our underground sprinkler system runs close to the surface and is easily damaged by stakes and poles.

Public restrooms and drinking fountains are not available on the Trail End grounds. They are only available to fee-paying patrons of the Kendrick Mansion and Carriage House Theatre during regular hours of operation. For large events, we recommend you rent portable outhouses.

If you would like to have your event catered, please have your caterer or event planner contact us as soon as possible. Because of our electricity and water restrictions, they may want to consider different options as far as menus and setups. All receptions must conclude by 10:00 p.m., including clean-up.

We request that all event participants park on either Delphi, Victoria, Clarendon or Pioneer. Please do not block driveways. Those guests requiring handicapped access may park in the available spaces in the west circular drive. With the exception of those vehicles bearing handicapped plates or signs, no other parking is allowed on the grounds (including the east and west circular drives).

Restrictions, Limitations & Damages

Use of alcohol is not permitted on any portion of the Trail End grounds without express written permission by the Site Superintendent. Because insurance and other documentation is required by the State of Wyoming's Risk Management Office, requests for alcohol waivers should be submitted at least three months prior to the event. There is no guarantee that a waiver will be granted.

Smoking is not permitted in any state structure. Smoking is not allowed on the Trail End porches. Please extinguish all smoking materials thoroughly and dispose of in the non-flammable trash receptacles located on Trail End's east and west porches, and in the Carriage House Courtyard.

Electricity

Without exception, Trail End cannot provide electricity for lights, sound systems, musical instruments, catering equipment, etc. There are no exterior outlets available and we cannot run extension cords from inside any of the site’s structures.

Music & Sound

Trail End is located in a residential neighborhood. Any music played or performed as part of your event must be kept at a reasonable sound level. Trail End does not have electrical outlets available for use by sound equipment. If you wish for amplification, you must supply a battery-operated system.

Damages

You will be held financially responsible for any damages caused by disregarding the guidelines detailed in this memo. These include (but are not limited to) damages to flowers, trees, sidewalks, historic features and underground sprinkler systems. You are also required to abide by all State Parks & Historic Sites Rules and Regulations. These regulations are available online or at the site and may be reviewed upon request.

Wedding Rehearsals, Photographs and Carriages

Rehearsals

If you plan to have a rehearsal on a day other than the wedding day, it must be scheduled in order not to conflict with other events. There is no charge for the rehearsal.

Photographs

No fee is charged for staging wedding photographs on the grounds, but we do ask that you call and schedule your photo session to ensure that no other event is occurring at the same time. Photographs inside Trail End can only be taken without flash, and only in the open "public" areas (ballroom, foyer, stairwells) during regular business hours.

Dressing Rooms

Brides and other attendants must come dressed and ready to go. Rooms in the Kendrick Mansion are not available for use as dressing rooms under any circumstances.

Rice & Confetti

We would prefer that guests throw birdseed or rose petals instead of rice. Rice will be allowed, however, as long as decorative bags are picked up afterwards (this applies to the bags holding birdseed as well). Paper or plastic confetti is not allowed.

Carriages

If you plan to have a horse-drawn carriage pick you up, it may wait for you in the east circular drive. But please note: any "droppings" must be thoroughly cleaned up by someone (other than us) within the two-hour clean-up window.

Champagne

Champagne toasts are not allowed due to the "No Alcohol" restrictions outlined above.

Tourists and Birds

Tourists

Birds